As young men and women, when it comes to choosing a beer we’re often concerned with how many we can down in a night and how little it will hurt our pockets. This quest for bargain intoxication leads many to choose brews that come in cases of 32 and would satisfy Patches O’Houlihan because they’re sterile and he would like the taste. I’m by no means saying abandon the occasional weekend lash with your pals, but switching it up a bit and choosing more refined suds from the Beer Cave couldn’t hurt. Men and women of America, it is time to do your taste buds a favor: crawl out from under that rock fashioned out of abandoned aluminum cans and give these beers a go.

1. Not Your Father's Root Beer (5.9% ABV)

Certainly not your father’s root beer, but I guarantee he would love it. If the mere thought of root beer conjures images of youthful summer days a sip of this beer, by Illinois based Small Town Brewery, will induce instant nostalgia. The classic root beer taste with no real hint of alcohol, this drink will even appeal to those who aren’t huge fans of beer. It’s a bit sweet, so it’s probably not the best choice if you’re trying to pound a six pack at that frat party on Friday night, but it’s an excellent choice for any other occasion that merits a beer.

Beer Advocate Score: 86

2. Weihenstephaner Vitus (7.70% ABV)

Perhaps they have harnessed a higher power or maybe it's the incredible amount of time they have on their hands, but monks are known for brewing some of the best beers in the world. The Weihenstephan Brewery in Freising, Germany has been located at the monastery site of Weihenstephaner Abbey since 1040, making it the oldest brewery in the world. Vitus, one of Weihenstephaner's strongest beers only below the 10.5% ABV behemoth Infintium, is a German Weizenbock of epic proportions. A wheat beer who's hazy golden color is almost as beautiful as its banana/lemon/zesty, Vitus is a must try for any beer lover.

Beer Advocate Score: 94

3. Stone IPA (6.90% ABV)

IPAs, or India Pale Ale’s, are an incredibly trendy beer at the moment known for their, often acquired, bitter or hoppy taste. In the midst of the upward trend of IPAs, Stone IPA, stands out as one of OGs in the IPA game. More bitter than most IPAs the jump to Stone might be best made after dipping your toes in the IPA pool and adjusting to the hoppy waters, but once you’re Stone ready and you experience the medley of fruit taste, the hype will be understood.

Beer Advocate Score: 94

4. Highland Mocha Stout (5.00% ABV)

If you’re a fan of the world’s most popular stout, Guinness Draught, you should certainly give Highland Mocha Stout a go. Highland Brewery, located in Asheville, NC, presents you its most robust beer. A mouthful of coffee and chocolate flavors Highland’s Mocha Stout is one of those beers you feel like sipping while reclining in your leather chair, puffing on a Cuban, and pouring over some of Hemingway’s finest stanzas.

Beer Advocate Score: 88

5. Schofferhofer Grapefruit Weizen-Mix (2.50% ABV)

Okay, alcohol may be nearly nonexistent in this beer so if you’re trying to drown your sorrows after a bad break up (not advocated) or your favorite team’s recent defeat it may not be your best bet. However, if you’re looking for a great tasting, refreshing drink to sip by the pool, lake, river, ocean, or any summer/warm weather destination, look no further than Schofferhofer’s Grapefruit Weizen. (Obvious) grapefruit flavors mixed with the telltale bready hints of Weiss beers, this beer is a must drink for the fruit beer lover or anyone who wants a break from the taste of your average beer (although all of these beers are a break from the taste of your average beer).

Beer Advocate Score: 78

Charma Dunkel *Honorable Mention* (6.00% ABV)

Pronounced ‘karma’, This hazy, brown beer looks like a creamy Guinness but goes down like sweet, fruit tinged water from the heavens. I don’t know if it was due to the company I was with or the incredible night I had, but this stands out in my memory as the best beer I have ever had…hands down. The sad thing is, and the reason it only garnered an honorable mention, it’s brewed by a microbrewery on the Grecian island of Crete and it is currently unavailable outside of the aforementioned Island and Athens (trust me, I emailed the brewery). So if you’re ever in either location for holiday, business, or whatever, do yourself a favor and have a sip (or 24) of a Charma Dunkel.

Well, that’s a wrap on my relatively short list of beers you must try. Some of these can’t be found at your local convenient store so you’re going to have to hit up your local alcohol supermarket like Total Wine. I hope this inspires you all to drop your cans of yellow colored water labeled Natural Light and pick up something with a bit more taste. Enjoy, but do so responsibly.